Palmerton library work begins

Restoration work at a historic learning institution in Palmerton is underway.

Members of the Palmerton Area Library approached borough council on Thursday to request its support for grant applications.

Jack Wogenrich, treasurer, said the library started a restoration project earlier last week and it will continue for about a month.

Wogenrich said the library’s staff had noticed damage to the interior of the building, so an architect was brought in.

The architect from MPS was hired to find the source of the issues, which is more from the outside masonry and parapet of the building.

Wogenrich said the library has been putting a “band-aid” for the last 8-10 years, spending about $100,000.

“We’re at the point where we can no longer band-aid the situation,” Wogenrich said.

Wogenrich said the small project will cost about $75,500.

Library director Christine DeSousa said after the meeting that as part of that work, MPS is removing the parapet top stone and will install a water diversion system that will channel the rain water from dripping down the parapet wall, to the roof membrane and then to the drain.

The other work being accomplished is that the stones on the outside of the building will be cleaned and restored, plus the silicone joint compound will be removed and replaced with a sand based grout that will breath and release water instead of sealing it in.

However, Wogenrich said the overall cost for the entire work is around $1 million.

“We believe going after grant money is the most efficient way to do so,” he said.

DeSousa said the library will get the same work done across the whole building as it’s getting done now, then it will get the windows replaced on the addition; specifically the window on the south side of the building. From there, she said there will be painting, plaster and carpeting done.

Wogenrich asked council for a motion or vote to support grant applications so the library can apply for an LSA and Keystone grant.

DeSousa told council the library would do all of the legwork for filling out the applications.

“All we need is for the borough to turn it in,” DeSousa said.

Councilman Kris Hoffner asked what the library is used for, besides books.

DeSousa explained that it used by visitors for a whole host of activities, and added the library serves anyone in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as outside the state.

“We like to pride ourselves as a community center,” DeSousa said. “We want them to use our facility, we want them to use our materials.”

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield said she can attest to the fact that there are always people utilizing the services offered by the library.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell said the library is beyond books, and added “it’s a beautiful building.”

“It’s just transformed a little bit,” Hausman-Sell said. “In today’s age, it’s a media center.”

DeSousa noted the building will soon turn 100 years old, as it was finished in 1926. The library moved into the space in 1974, and it has been a library ever since.

“We want to fix this now rather than (later),” DeSousa said. “All of us who are working for the betterment of the library are hoping that our friends in our community will help us raise the funds needed to preserve our historical building (on) the main street of Palmerton.”

Councilman Cory Kepner said that was a wise idea, as preventive maintenance is the key.

Afterward, council made a pair of motions, both of which passed on 6-0 votes, with Hoffner abstaining because he is married to a member of the library’s staff.

The first motion was for the borough to support the library for a Keystone grant partnership, which was followed by a motion for the borough to support the library for a Local Share Account grant partnership.

Hausman-Sell noted that they may be competing for an LSA grant, since the borough is looking to obtain one for its police station, and that council wanted to ensure the library would have a good shot at obtaining it.